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Big Apple

Yesterday, Apple surpassed Microsoft as the largest US company ever measured by stock market value at $623.52 billion, and it closed today at $666.50 per share! With this news, I must admit to the worst advice I ever gave someone, and sadly it was to my son! He had just lost his $300 stake in the bankruptcy of Enron when my wife and I agreed to give him a fresh $300 to regain his confidence in the stock market. I vividly recall him suggesting that he should double down and put it all into Apple, which was trading at $13 per share. I told him he was crazy: "They are almost bankrupt!" Well okay, I was wrong. What a wonderful story Apple is. But I have a wrinkle. I pass by the Apple store in Grand Central Terminal every day and I do not bother to stop in for a look. Why? Nothing is new. I know that they are ready to issue the iPhone 5 and the new 7" iPad, but these items are not cutting edge and exciting. Alas, the nature of business is that small stealth companies come along with new approaches and fresh ideas that permit them to grow faster and supplant larger ones. Show me the next $13 play and I'm in.

Tony LoPinto is the Global Sector Leader of Korn/Ferry International's Real Estate Practice and founder of SelectLeaders. The views expressed in this article are the author's own.

ROSS STORES
Senior Director of Store Design
(PLEASANTON, CA) This position will supervise, develop and retain directors and managers of store design for the timely execution of new store, expansion and remodel projects from inception, through design, to approved project documents. In addition, this position will retain continuing responsibility for store design oversight extending to project turnover and opening; develop, maintain and interpret the company's prototype store design and specifications; and assist the vice president of construction in the activities and operations of the department as assigned.